The Bible provides numerous insights into the character of the wicked, often highlighting their destructive nature. This destructive tendency is not only a hallmark of their actions but also a reflection of their inner moral and spiritual corruption. The wicked are portrayed as individuals who, through their actions and intentions, bring harm and chaos to themselves and others.

Destructive Actions and Intentions

The wicked are frequently depicted as those who actively seek to harm others. In the Book of Proverbs, we find a vivid description of their destructive nature: "The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just" (Proverbs 21:7). This verse underscores the self-destructive path of the wicked, whose violent actions ultimately lead to their own downfall.

The Psalms also provide insight into the destructive character of the wicked. Psalm 7:14-16 states, "Behold, the wicked man travails with evil; he conceives trouble and births falsehood. He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head." Here, the imagery of digging a pit and falling into it illustrates how the wicked's destructive plans often backfire, leading to their own ruin.

Destructive Speech

The wicked are not only destructive in their actions but also in their speech. Their words are often used as weapons to harm others. In Psalm 52:2-4 , the psalmist describes the tongue of the wicked as a sharp razor, deceitful and harmful: "Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue." This passage highlights the destructive power of words and the wicked's propensity to use them for harm.

Destructive Influence

The influence of the wicked extends beyond their immediate actions and speech, affecting the broader community and society. Proverbs 29:2 states, "When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan." This proverb illustrates the broader societal impact of wickedness, where the destructive nature of the wicked leads to suffering and distress among the people.

Destructive Relationships

The wicked are often characterized by their destructive relationships, marked by betrayal and treachery. In Proverbs 11:9 , it is written, "With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued." This verse contrasts the destructive nature of the wicked with the wisdom and preservation found in righteousness, emphasizing how the wicked's actions can lead to the downfall of those around them.

Divine Judgment on the Destructive

The Bible consistently affirms that the destructive nature of the wicked does not go unnoticed by God. Divine judgment is portrayed as an inevitable consequence of their actions. In Psalm 37:9-10 , it is declared, "For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found." This passage reassures the faithful that the destructive ways of the wicked will ultimately lead to their removal and the triumph of righteousness.

Conclusion

The character of the wicked, as depicted in the Bible, is inherently destructive. Their actions, speech, influence, and relationships are marked by harm and chaos, ultimately leading to their own downfall and divine judgment. The Scriptures provide a clear warning against the path of wickedness, emphasizing the importance of righteousness and justice.Isaiah 59:7
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
Nave's Topical Index

On the Character and Teaching of the Bishop.
... II."On the Character and Teaching of the Bishop. ... do some good action, and avoid some
wicked one ... true God, and their being drawn into destructive and dangerous ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii on the character and.htm

The Character of the Persons for whom this Rest is Designed.
... most high God, dishonorable to him, and destructive to the ... 6. As an essential part
of the character of God's ... The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iv the character of.htm

That Evil Comes of Sloth, and virtue from Diligence, and that ...
... It is destructive to those alone who hold to it ... On this account he left the wicked
in the midst of the good ... For the character of calamities is not of such a kind ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iii that evil comes.htm

Moses, the Mighty Intercessor
... transfiguration and the heavenly shining in character and conduct ... and hail in their
alarming and destructive fury extorted from this wicked king the ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/iv moses the mighty intercessor.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... one in heart and work, is the character of the ... fool." It is as unseemly, prodigious,
and destructive a thing ... honours, promotions, and trust to a wicked man, as ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... judgment, and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity ... with his tongue, 'tis only
a slight character that he ... if any kind of speech is destructive and dangerous ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part 2.htm

The Winepress and Its Treader
... So, then, the destructive act is a manifestation of Righteousness ... 'When the wicked
perish, there ... the ends of the earth.' To clear His character and government ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the winepress and its treader.htm

Attributes of Love.
... A wicked character, and governmental relations and considerations, may forbid
benevolence to seek the ... as a warning to others to beware of their destructive ways ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xii attributes of love.htm

Several Other Things Turned against the Same Mathematicians.
... and if those of the better character be near to ... taking vengeance upon and punishing
the wicked, and there ... and abhorrent to itself, and self-destructive, and at ...
/.../chapter xvi several other things turned.htm

Prayer and vigilance
... Or, as the Scriptural margin reads, "wicked spirits in ... therefore, something of the
character of the ... carelessness or indolence, some destructive calamity should ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xi prayer and vigilance.htm

What is virtue ethics? | GotQuestions.org

Does God change His mind? | GotQuestions.org

Is God perfect? | GotQuestions.org

Character: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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